Microbiota oral e retal de calitriquídeos (Callithrix sp) em área antropizada de Mata Atlântica, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / [Oral and rectal microbiota of callitrichids (Callithrix sp) in an anthropized area of the Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]

A proximidade dos primatas não humanos (PNH) com o ser humano pode ser considerada um fator de risco para transmissão de bactérias entre essas duas populações. Neste estudo, foi investigada a microbiota anfibiôntica aeróbica oral e retal de calitriquídeos em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica localizado no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, e foram realizados testes fenotípicos para detecção de bactérias multirresistentes nos isolados encontrados. Foram capturados 14 calitriquídeos e coletadas 21 amostras (14 de cavidade oral e sete de cavidade retal) em dois pontos da mata próximos às habitações humanas. As espécies mais frequentes, na cavidade oral, foram Klebsiella oxytoca (50,0%), K. pneumoniae (28,6%), Kluyvera ascorbata (21,4%) e Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (21,4%) e, na cavidade retal, K. pneumoniae (85,7%), Escherichia coli (28,6%) e Enterobacter spp. (42,9%). Todos os 48 isolados da família Enterobacteriaceae foram negativos para ESBL (betalactamase de espectro ampliado), mostrando-se não produtores da enzima nos dois métodos utilizados: disco-aproximação e método de detecção automatizado. Na pesquisa de ERC (enterobactérias resistentes a carbapenêmicos), esses mesmos isolados não apresentaram resistência aos antibióticos imipenem, meropenem e ertapenem. Todas as bactérias isoladas apresentam um potencial zoonótico, o que representa um risco à saúde pública e à conservação das espécies.(AU)

Proximity of nonhuman primates (NHP) to humans can be considered a risk factor for transmission of pathogens between these two populations. This study investigated the oral and rectal aerobic bacterial microbiota of marmosets in an anthropized area of the Atlantic Forest located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and performed phenotypic tests for detection of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Twenty-one samples (14 from the oral cavity and seven from the rectum) were collected from 14 Callithrix sp. captured in two sites of the forest near human dwellings. The most frequent species identified from the oral cavity swabs were Klebsiella oxytoca (50.0%), K. pneumoniae (28.6%), Kluyvera ascorbata (21.4%) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (21.4%), whereas the species most commonly identified from the rectum swabs were K. pneumoniae (85.7%), Enterobacter spp. (42.9%) and Escherichia coli (28.6%). All isolates of family Enterobacteriaceae showed no extended spectrum ß-lactamase production by disk-diffusion and automated detection tests. In the search for carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae these isolates presented no resistance to the imipenem, meropenem and ertapenem antibiotics. The isolate of Staphylococcus aureus was susceptible to oxacillin and the isolate of Enterococcus was susceptible to vancomycin. All isolated bacteria showed zoonotic potential, thus posing a risk to species conservation and public health.(AU)

Maintaining rear-fanged snakes for venom production: an evaluation of mortality and survival rates for Philodryas olfersii and P. patagoniensis in captivity

This study evaluates the mortality and average survival rates of captive female Philodryas olfersii and Philodryas patagoniensis snakes maintained for venom production. Also, two factors likely to reduce captive survival were studied - body condition at admission and seasonality. Mortality peaks occurred during the second month in captivity. More than half the individuals were dead at the end of the third month. This suggests that the first three months in captivity are the most critical in terms of survival and adaptation. Females collected and admitted during spring and summer lived less time than those collected in autumn and winter. As gravidity and egg-laying occur during spring and summer, we suggest that the lower survival rates in these seasons may be due to high costs and stress involved in these reproductive events. Unexpectedly, body mass and body condition were poor predictors of survival in captivity. Our results have important implications in maintaining snakes for venom production. We propose some prophylactic measures to minimize the deleterious impacts of captivity during the adaptation period.(AU)

Comparison of serum hormone levels of captive and free-living maned wolves Chrysocyon brachyurus

Serum hormone levels were compared between captive and free-living maned wolves and seasonal variations of sex hormones were studied. Blood samples were collected from 16 male and 26 female adult animals from Brazilian zoos, and from 30 male and 24 female free-living adults to determine serum progesterone and testosterone by radioimmunoassay. Serum testosterone concentrations varied (P < 0.05) across seasons for 16 captive males, being higher in autumn (2184.7 ± 355.1 pg/mL) than in summer (1080.7 ± 205.4 pg/mL), winter (1270.1 ± 276.6 pg/mL) and spring (963.9 ± 248.1 pg/mL), although they did not differ between summer, winter and spring. Testosterone concentration of 30 free-living males differed (P < 0.05) between autumn (824.1 ± 512.2 pg/mL), winter (14.4 ± 8.0 pg/mL) and spring (151.9 ± 90.5 pg/mL). Comparison between captive and free-living animals showed no difference in autumn (P > 0.05). Sixteen captive males showed higher testosterone concentration during winter and spring compared with 30 free-living animals (P < 0.05). Progesterone concentration varied among seasons in 26 captive females (P < 0.05), being higher in autumn (15.3 ± 3.1 ng/mL) than in summer (6.6 ± 1.5 ng/mL), winter (5.3 ± 3.1 ng/mL) and spring (4.3 ± 0.7 ng/mL). Progesterone concentration of 24 free-living females varied between autumn (17.1 ± 6.0 ng/mL) and winter (1.7 ± 0.3 ng/mL) (P < 0.05), but we could not obtain data for spring or summer. No difference in progesterone levels was observed between captive and free-living females in autumn and winter.

Age-related biological activity of south american rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) venom

An in vitro and in vivo comparative study was performed on the effects of Crotalus durissus terrificus venoms from a mother and its 15 newborns. The venoms were tested for protein content, lethality, proteolytic, myotoxic, hemorrhagic, and phospholipase A2 activity. The minimum coagulant dose in plasma and human fibrinogen, protrhombin, and Factor II activations were analyzed. The venoms were also analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). This showed that despite similar total protein content, the biological effects of the venoms were different. Venom from young snakes exhibited higher enzymatic and coagulant activities and higher myotoxicity compared to the mother's. In addition, the PLA2 content paralleled myotoxicity. However, no difference could be detected in their toxicity (LD50 0.08 mg/Kg). High incidence of blood coagulation disorders and elevated circulating myoglobin may characterize systemic envenoming by young C. d. terrificus.

Disponibilidade de fósforo de fontes inorgânicas para frangos de corte / Phosphorus availability from inorganic sources for broiler chick

Utilizaram-se 440 pintos machos, de uma linhagem de corte, distribuídos ao acaso em 11 tratamentos experimentais com quatro repetiçöes de 10 aves cada, por um período de 17 dias, para determinar a disponibilidade biológica do fósforo (BDP) de sete fontes. Quatro tratamentos (T1, T2, T3, T4) nos quais se utilizou o fosfato bicálcico Ipiranga como padräo, cujo fósforo (P) foi considerado 100 por cento, destinaram-se à obtençäo de uma curva-padräo, relacionando-se o ganho de peso (Y)com teores de P adicionados (X) a uma dieta básica, resultando na equaçäo Y=186,36+905X (R elevado ao quadrado=0,94). Os demais tratamentos corresponderam à adiçäo de 0,20 por cento de P à dieta básica a partir das seguintes fontes: farinha de ossos calcinada (FOC), fosfato supersimples (FSS), fosfato supertriplo (FST), fosfato diamônio (DAP), fosfato monoamônio - (MAP), fosfato Patos de Minas (FPM), fosfato natural de Araxá (FNA) e fosfato semidesfluorizado (FSD). Os valores de BDP de cada fonte, estimados pelo critério do ganho de peso e calculados pelo método da abcissa foram: FSS, 79,2; FST, 103,8; DAP, 138,9; MAP, 105,6; FPM, 67,5; FNA, 67,8 e FSD, 82,8. Os resultados sugerem que devem ser considerados os valores de biodisponibilidade do fósforo dos suplementos empregados na formulaçäo de raçöes de frangos de corte, para efeitos do ajuste do fósforo disponível, e que os fosfatos naturais FPM e FNA, que apresentaram as piores biodisponibilidades, devem ser avaliados cuidadosamente antes de suas inclusöes à dieta

Fósforo disponível de dez fontes sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte / Available phosphorus from ten phosphorus sources on broiler performance

Avaliou-se o desempenho de frangos de corte de um a 47 dias de idade, suplementados com fósforo disponível de oito fontes elaboradas e duas naturais, cujas biodisponibilidades de fósforo foram previamente determinadas. As fontes naturais promoveram os menores ganhos de peso e consumo de raçäo e mais altos teores de flúor nos ossos. Näo houve diferenças significativas (P>0,05) entre as fontes quanto à conversäo alimentar e à mortalidade, bem como aos teores de cinzas, de cálcio e de fósforo nos ossos. As fontes naturais foram inferiores às elaboradas quanto ao desempenho, principalmente ganho de peso de frangos de corte, provavelmente devido aos seus altos teores de flúor; considerando o fósforo disponível, as fontes de fósforo se equivalem em promover o crescimento e o desempenho em frangos de corte; é necessário considerar o fósforo disponível das fontes de fósforo no cálculo das raçöes de frangos de corte

Biodisponibilidade de fósforo para aves e suínos: teor de cinzas ósseas e atividade da fosfatase alcalina / Phosphorus bioavailability for chicks and pigs based on bone ash content and alkaline phosphatase activity

Realizaram-se dois experimentos com objetivos de determinar e comparar a biodisponibilidade de fósforo (BDP), em fontes de fósforo (P), através das cinzas ósseas (TCO) de frangos de corte (fêmur) e de leitöes (terceiro e quarto metacarpos), e avaliar a atividade da fosfatase alcalina no soro (AFAS), como meio de determinar a BDP em leitöes, tendo o fosfato bicálcico (FBP) como padräo. No experimento I, utilizaram-se 312 pintos de um dia para determinar as BDP (porcentagem) de nove fontes, calculadas pelo método da abscissa, que foram: fosfato monoamônio (FMA) = 114,7, superfosfato triplo (SFT) = 119,5, fosfato natural Patos de Minas (FPM) = 42,5, farinha de ossos calcinada (FOC) = 77,9, fosfato bicálcico I (FBI) = 99,2, fosfato semidesfluorizado (FSD) = 62,4, fosfato natural de Araxá (FNA) = 57,8, fosfato diamômio (FDA ) = 119,8, superfosfato simples (SFS) = 82,6. No experimento II, utilizaram-se 32 leitöes, avaliando-se a BDP de quatro fontes, cujos valores (porcentagem) foram: FMA = 109,0; SFT = 109,0; FPM = 95,4 e FOC = 100,0. Concluiu-se que a BDP variou entre as fontes de P; valores de BDP obtidos com uma espécie näo se aplicam à outra; a AFAS näo foi proporcional aos níveis de P; houve queda na AFAS, do 21§ para o 34§ dia; a AFAS näo se revelou um método adequado para a determinaçäo da BDP para suínos

Renal sodium handling after noradrenergic stimulation of the lateral hypothalamic area in rats

The participation of specific of special nephron segments in the renal control of sodium handling after adrenergic stimulation was investigated by determining lithium clearance in groups of 5-12 male Wistar rats (230-300 g) microinjected with noradrenaline into the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). Microinjection of noradrenaline (12.5 to 100.0 nmol/ul) into the LHA promoted a significant decrease in proximal sodium reabsorption (control, 86.5 ñ 1.3; 12.5,81.4 ñ 2.4; 50.0, 75.4 ñ 1.8 and 100.0,77.2 ñ 1.7%) and a dose-related increase in distal sodium reabsorption (control, 13.4 ñ 1.6; 12.5, 18.4 ñ 1.25.0,26.9 ñ 2.9; 50.0,24.1 ñ 2.7; 100.0,22.1 ñ 1.9%) with no significannt changes inm creatinine clearance. Fractional sodium reabsorption after different noradrenaline concentrations was significantly reduced in the proximal nephron sites up to the concentration of 25.0 nmol/ul. Beyond this concentration, a smaller but progressive increase in fraqctional sodium reabsorption was observed in the post-proximal segment. These findings suggest an effective participation of proximal and post-proximal nephrons in natriuresis after lateral hypothalamic noradrenergic stimulation

Renal water handling evaluated by lithium clearance following adrenergic and cholinergic stimulation of the lateral hypothalamic area

Male Wistar rats weighing 230-3--g were used to characterize the participation of adrenerg and cholinergic receptors of the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) in the control of renal water excretion. Since stimulation of adrenergic or cholinergic receptors has no effect on glomerular filtration rate, the antidiuresis and significant delay in urinary flow observed after lateral hypothalamic stimulation with carbachol (CCh) (0.036 ñ 0.005 to o.019 ñ 0.003 µlmin-1 100g body weight-1) and noradrenaline (Nad) (0.024 ñ 0.005 to 0.025 ñ 0.004 µl min-1 100g body weight-1) are secondary to an increase in distal tubular fluid reabsorption (DFR). Data are reported as means ñ SEM for ten rats each group. Tubular water measured by lithim clearance demonstrated that LHA stimulation with CCh (2.8 nmol in 1 µl) and Nad (30.0 nmol in µl) leads to a significant reduction in proximal water reabsorption with CCh, 93.3 ñ 2.6 to 85.4 ñ 1.4%; Nad, 92.7 ñ0.9 to 88.6 ñ 1.3%), with a simultaneous and significant incrase in fluid reabsorption along the post-proximal nephrom segments when compared to control (CNa) (CCh, 6.7 ñ 0.7 to 14.5 ñ 1.1%; Nad 8.2 ñ 0.8 to 11.4 ñ 1.6%) These effects are blocked by muscarinic (atropine, 5 nmol in 1 µl) and alpha-1 adrenoceptors (prazosin, 4 nmol in 1 µl) antagonists. The results indicate the effective participation of the post-proximal nephron in the antidiuresis occurring after cholinergic and adrenergic LHA stimulation

Effects of injection of selective adrenergic receptor antagonists into the lateral hypothalamic area on renal function

Studies were underlaken to characterize the participation of specific alpha-1, alpha-2 and beta adrenoceptors of the lateral hypothalamic area *LHA) in the urinary excretion of sodium and potassium. Alpha-1 and alpha-2 IHA receptors were shown to participate in the regulation of renal sodium and potassium excretion. the effects of noradrenaline microinjection (30 nmol in 1 micronl) into the LHA on urinary sodium excretion (UNaV) are blocked by previous injection of the alpha-1 antagonist prazosin (4 nmol in 1 micronl) from 3.22 ñ 0.25 to 0.59 ñ 0.04 micronEq min-1 100g body weigh-1. Pre-injection of yohimbine, an alpha-2 antaghonist (4 nmol in 1 micronl), synergistically potentiated the action of noradrenaline on UNaV (3.22 ñ 0.25 to 4.02 ñ0.27 micronEq min-1 100g body weight-1) and on urinary potassium excretion (UKV) (0.70 ñ 0.08 to 1.15 ñ 0.12 micronEq min-1g body weight-1). The beta-adrenergic blockers metoprolol (100 nmol in 1 micronl) and propranolo (100 nmol in 1 micronl) had no sunergistic or antagonistic action on the sodium excretion fraction, suggesting that neither of these recptors in present in the LHA. Our results indicate that natriuresis occurs even in the absence of changes in glomerular filtration rate and demonstrate an inhibitory natriuretic effect of an alpha-1 blocker (prazosin) injected into the LHA before adrenaline, wile an alpha-2 antagonsit (yohimbine) yielded a potentiating effect (AU)ñ

Inhibition of gastric acid secretion by cholinergic stimulation of the lateral hypopthalamic area

Cholinergic stimulation of the lateral hypothalamic area with carbachol (1 microng in 1 micronl) markedly inhibited gastric acid secretion in the anesthetized rat. Inhibition was bloced by prior microinjection of atropine (4 microng/micronl) into the same brain area and was accompanied by an increased soldium content in the stomach. Muscarinic receptor mediated cholinergic inhibitory influence of the hypothalamus on gastric acid secretion is suggested by these results

South American snake venom proteins antigenically related to bothrops asper myotoxins

1. the presence of proteins antigenically related to Bothrops asper myotoxins in various snake venoms, mainly from South America, was investigated by using poluclonal and monoclonal antibodies. 2. Myotoxin-like components were detected in the bothrops venoms from South america, and in the venoms of Crotalus atrox (North america), Trimerusurus flavoviridis (Japan), and Micrurus alleni (Costa Rica). 3. Cross-reactive components detected in several Bothrops venoms show a common subunit of 15-16 LDa by sodium dodcyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, although significant charge variations are evident by immunoelectrophoresis. 4. It is concluded that proteins antigenically related to B. asper nyotoxins are relatively common in the genus Bothrops and, in the light of findings discussed, are likely to posses myotoxic activity

Aspectos morfológicos e funcionais renais no desenvolvimento da hipertensäo arterial em ratos espontaneamente hipertensos / Renal morphologic and functional aspects in the development of blood hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Foram observadas alteraçöes estruturais nos rins de ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) que antecedem o estado hipertensivo e as alteraçöes hemodinâmicas do nefro. Estes achados podem representar defeito genético estrutural ou estarem associados a hiperatividade autonômica simpática prévia, já observada nos animais jovens pré-hipertensos. Ainda, essas alteraçöes poderiam desempenhar certo papel no desenvolvimento e na manutençäo dos níveis tensionais elevados nesta linhagem de ratos. Os resultados do presente trabalho mostram alteraçöes funcionais peculiares no SHR e confirmam aquelas observadas em animais normotensos adultos após a desnervaçäo renal bilateral